Workplace Bullying

Definition of Workplace Bullying

Bullying at work is the repeated, health or career endangering mistreatment of one employee, by one or more employees. The mistreatment is a form of psychological violence and is often a mix of verbal and strategic insults preventing the target from performing work well.

Issues from the User Forum:

Workplace Bullying

Hi.
One night when I was working extra hours, after I finished the work,when I came to pack my notebook and leave,I found something in my notebook bag, I took it out to find about 15 knives in a bag. I called my superior immediat...

The problems of Workplace Bullying

Some bullies have the attitudes of “so sue me” due to the difficulties in building a case

Employers can outspend and outlast lone plaintiffs

Financial jeopardy for the target due to the high legal costs

The payoff due to bulling wins are relatively low and often do not justify the costs of litigation

Poor support for the targets

It is up to the person being bullied to address it on their own

Many companies look for bulling amongst the workers, but most bullying actually comes from management

The cost of bullying

82% of targets feel they have to leave their jobs *The Bully at Work, Gary and Ruth Namie
When employees voluntarily leave their job, 50% of them have done so due to issues with their supervisor

Steps to solve bullying:

Understand the bully

Chronic bullies – people who identify that bullying is a part of their nature, and do not perceive a need to change their actions

Opportunist bullies – competitive people who are interested in making career gains even though it may involve stepping on other people

Accidental bullies – bullying caused by social ineptness and lack of awareness.

Substance abusing bullies – people whose social interactions are impaired by their dependence on artificial stimulants

Identify the type of bullying

Unrealistic job demands

Unreasonable criticism

Creating an inconsistent or unfair work environment

Not giving credit where it is due

Insults, putdowns, yelling, screaming, and other abusive behavior

Document the instances of bullying in detail

Document specifics, time and date

Identify allies

Determine code violations

Determine a plan to resolve the bullying

Request a meeting time where you can confront the bully in a professional setting

Seek assistance from senior management.

Seek third party mediation

Seek legal advice

Get medical attention

Establish and protect boundaries

Do not blame yourself

Solicit witness statements

Follow internal complaint processes

Communicate the problems with the bully or two levels of management higher than the bully

Taking the bully on directly at work may have undesired or unpredictable consequences for the target

In many cases, the bully may be seen by management as “getting the job done”

complaining about the bullying may draw repercussions against the target rather than the bully.

When a target reports bullying in the workplace:

11% of targets are transferred

38% left voluntarily

44% were terminated

In only 7% of those cases, was the bully censored, transferred or terminated.

*WBTI Research (2003)

The Anonymous Option

When communicating with either the bully about their actions, or with management, it may be suggested to remain anonymous so that you have a greater sense of the outcome without needing to endanger your position.